Justin Jefferson Addresses Trade Rumors, Reaffirms Commitment to Vikings
Justin Jefferson may have just wrapped up the most statistically modest season of his career, but don’t mistake that for uncertainty about where he stands. Despite swirling trade rumors linking him to the Buffalo Bills, the Minnesota Vikings' star wide receiver made it clear: he’s still all-in on the North Star State.
“I’ve been hearing a couple of [Bills] Mafia fans talking a little bit here and there, but I’m a Viking,” Jefferson said during an appearance on the Up & Adams show. “Minnesota is a lot more colder. So I must say I keep it cold in Minnesota.”
That cold comment? Call it a nod to both the weather and Jefferson’s icy confidence in sticking with the franchise that drafted him.
The Buffalo Buzz
The Jefferson-to-Buffalo chatter picked up steam after the Bills promoted Joe Brady to offensive coordinator on January 27. Brady, of course, was Jefferson’s passing game coordinator during LSU’s historic 2019 national championship run - the same season that launched Jefferson, Joe Burrow, and Ja’Marr Chase into college football lore.
On paper, a reunion with Brady - and a pairing with Josh Allen - would be tantalizing for any offense-starved team. The Bills, still searching for a true WR1 after trading away Stefon Diggs in 2024, have leaned on Khalil Shakir to fill the void.
Shakir has been dependable, but he’s not the kind of player who tilts the field the way Jefferson does. Buffalo’s offense could use that kind of game-breaking presence.
But here’s the catch: Jefferson isn’t going anywhere unless he says so.
Locked In - Literally
Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Vikings in June 2024, a deal that not only made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league but also came with a no-trade clause. That means Minnesota can’t move him without his green light - and even if they wanted to, doing so before June 1 would saddle the team with a massive $46 million dead cap hit.
So, barring a dramatic shift in direction from both sides, Jefferson’s icy Minnesota roots aren’t thawing anytime soon.
A Tough Season, But Still Elite
By his own high standards, Jefferson’s 2025 season was a step back. He finished with 84 catches for 1,048 yards - both career lows - while the Vikings stumbled to a 9-8 record and third place in the NFC North. But context matters.
Minnesota cycled through three starting quarterbacks - J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer - in a season plagued by instability under center.
Even with the revolving door at QB, Jefferson still managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight year. That’s not just consistency - that’s elite production under difficult circumstances.
Still, it marked only the second time in his career that Jefferson didn’t crack the 1,400-yard barrier. The Vikings’ offense sputtered, finishing 29th in passing yards per game - a far cry from the explosive unit Jefferson has helped lead in past seasons.
Jefferson’s Mindset: “It’s All Part of the Plan”
Speaking again over the weekend, Jefferson didn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges of the season. But he also made it clear that he’s not losing sleep over the trade talk or the dip in numbers.
“I don’t really care about those things,” Jefferson said. “Nobody really understands what’s going on in that building besides the people that’s in that building.
It’s just all part of the plan. It’s just all God’s plan and just really a wakeup moment.”
It’s a mature, measured response from a player who’s already accomplished so much in such a short time. Jefferson knows not every season will be a highlight reel - but few players in the league have dominated the way he has since entering the NFL.
What’s Next?
The Vikings enter the offseason with questions at quarterback and a need to retool an offense that never found its rhythm in 2025. But if there’s one certainty in Minnesota, it’s that Justin Jefferson remains the centerpiece - both in talent and in mindset.
Trade rumors may swirl, but Jefferson’s message is clear: he’s not just keeping it cold in Minnesota - he’s keeping it home.